Does Dejope Hall have air conditioning?

Yes — all of Dejope's resident rooms are air-conditioned, which along with its 2012 construction makes it one of the most comfortable first-year halls at UW. That's notable because Lakeshore has a mix of buildings, and some of the older Lakeshore halls don't have central AC — Dejope does. A fan is optional here for circulation or white noise. Personal window AC units are prohibited across UW housing, but you won't need one in an air-conditioned Dejope room.

What's it like living on the lake at Dejope?

Dejope sits right on Lake Mendota, with an outdoor fire circle, a lakeside terrace, and the Four Lakes Market dining hall in the building. The Lakeshore neighborhood is the quieter, more outdoorsy side of UW — lake paths for running and biking, more green space, a calmer feel than the downtown-adjacent Southeast towers. The trade-off is distance: you're a short walk or bus ride from central campus and State Street rather than right in the middle of it. If you value nature, quiet, and views over being steps from downtown, Dejope is the standout choice.

Is there a fridge or microwave in Dejope?

A fridge is included; a microwave is not. Every Dejope room comes with a university compact fridge/freezer that you can't remove or replace, so skip the mini-fridge purchase. Bring your own microwave if you want one in the room (one per room, low wattage recommended) or use the shared kitchen. Like all UW halls, that means your appliance list is short: no fridge to buy, just an optional microwave.

What does the name Dejope mean?

Dejope is the Ho-Chunk word for the Madison area, meaning 'Four Lakes' — the name the Ho-Chunk and other Native American peoples have used for this region for thousands of years. The hall, which opened in 2012 on the shore of Lake Mendota, was named to honor that heritage, and the building reflects it in its design and its lakeside setting. It's a fitting name for the most lake-connected residence hall on campus.

Madison, WI · Big Ten · Top public

Dejope Hall Dorm Checklist 2026

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Doubles, triples & quads (mostly triples), community bathrooms — lakeside Lakeshore hall on Lake Mendota

Verified Jul 28, 2026 · housing.wisc.edu

A 2012 Lakeshore hall built right on the Lake Mendota shore — outdoor fire circle, a lake terrace, and the Four Lakes Market dining hall downstairs. ~589 residents (first-years + returners), AC, and walk-in closets. Its name is the Ho-Chunk word for the Madison area, 'Four Lakes.' Quieter and more scenic than the Southeast towers.

Bed SizeTwin XL · 36"×80"
Under-BedLoftable frame
ACYes
On-CampusFirst-year guarantee

✓ In the room

Bed frame & Twin XL mattressdeskdesk chairdresserwardrobe/closetcompact fridge/freezer (3.1 cu ft)wastebasket & recycling bin

✗ Not provided

Beddingtowelsshower caddyhangersdesk lampmicrowave (bring your own)

⊘ Prohibited

Candlesincenseopen flameswax warmershalogen lampswindow AC unitsspace heaterselectric grillstoasterstoaster ovenshot plateselectric fireplaceshoverboardspersonal fridges

Your room already has a fridge — UW provides a 3.1 cu ft micro-fridge/freezer in every room and you can't swap in your own, so don't buy one. A microwave is NOT provided, though: bring one (one per room, low-wattage).
Candles, incense, and any open flame are banned campus-wide (a religious/cultural exemption exists through your Residence Life Coordinator). String lights are allowed but can't be hung from the ceiling or pipes.

Living in Dejope Hall: what to know before you pack

The room

Dejope is the marquee Lakeshore hall — opened in 2012, right on the shore of Lake Mendota — so it's newer, quieter, and more scenic than the Southeast towers. Rooms are doubles, triples, and quads (mostly triples) with community bathrooms, and they're air-conditioned and carpeted with walk-in closets. Furniture is the UW standard, including the built-in compact fridge/freezer (so no fridge purchase) and no microwave (bring your own, one per room). Twin XL sheets fit the 80-inch mattress, and the loftable frame lets you raise the bed for storage. The walk-in closets and lake-facing setting are the draw; the trade-off versus Southeast is that you're a little farther from downtown and central-campus classes.

Day to day

Dejope's whole identity is the lake. It sits directly on Lake Mendota with an outdoor fire circle and a terrace, and the Four Lakes Market dining hall is downstairs, so meals and the water are steps away. The Lakeshore neighborhood is the quieter, greener, more outdoorsy side of UW housing — running and biking paths along the lake, a calmer vibe than the Southeast towers — and Dejope is its newest, most sought-after building. Its name comes from the Ho-Chunk word for the Madison area, meaning 'Four Lakes,' and the building reflects that heritage. You're a short walk or bus ride from central campus and State Street; if you'd rather have quiet, nature, and lake views than be in the middle of downtown, Dejope is the pick.

Move-in day

Move-in runs August 29–31, 2026 (early move-in August 26 for approved programs), with classes starting Wednesday, September 2. Dejope is smaller (~589 beds) and on the Lakeshore side, so move-in is generally calmer than the Southeast high-rises, though you'll still want to hit your assigned window. The walk-in closets mean you can lean on hanging storage; bring Twin XL bedding, a shower caddy and shower shoes, hangers, and a microwave if you want one — but not a fridge (provided). A fan is optional since rooms are air-conditioned. Factor the walk/bus to central campus into your morning routine, and leave the banned items (candles, halogen lamps, space heaters, window AC units) at home.

Room ideas

See The Raised Bed styled

The frame goes up, and the floor underneath comes back as storage.

Styled render — not a photo of Dejope Hall.

Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup

Sources & verification — last checked Jul 28, 2026

Dejope Hall FAQ

Does Dejope Hall have air conditioning?: Yes — all of Dejope's resident rooms are air-conditioned, which along with its 2012 construction makes it one of the most comfortable first-year halls at UW. That's notable because Lakeshore has a mix of buildings, and some of the older Lakeshore halls don't have central AC — Dejope does. A fan is optional here for circulation or white noise. Personal window AC units are prohibited across UW housing, but you won't need one in an air-conditioned Dejope room.
What's it like living on the lake at Dejope?: Dejope sits right on Lake Mendota, with an outdoor fire circle, a lakeside terrace, and the Four Lakes Market dining hall in the building. The Lakeshore neighborhood is the quieter, more outdoorsy side of UW — lake paths for running and biking, more green space, a calmer feel than the downtown-adjacent Southeast towers. The trade-off is distance: you're a short walk or bus ride from central campus and State Street rather than right in the middle of it. If you value nature, quiet, and views over being steps from downtown, Dejope is the standout choice.
Is there a fridge or microwave in Dejope?: A fridge is included; a microwave is not. Every Dejope room comes with a university compact fridge/freezer that you can't remove or replace, so skip the mini-fridge purchase. Bring your own microwave if you want one in the room (one per room, low wattage recommended) or use the shared kitchen. Like all UW halls, that means your appliance list is short: no fridge to buy, just an optional microwave.
What does the name Dejope mean?: Dejope is the Ho-Chunk word for the Madison area, meaning 'Four Lakes' — the name the Ho-Chunk and other Native American peoples have used for this region for thousands of years. The hall, which opened in 2012 on the shore of Lake Mendota, was named to honor that heritage, and the building reflects it in its design and its lakeside setting. It's a fitting name for the most lake-connected residence hall on campus.
Is Dejope Hall a good hall to live in?: That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Dejope Hall has Twin XL · 36"×80" beds with Loftable frame of under-bed storage, and is fully air conditioned. University of Wisconsin–Madison provides Bed frame & Twin XL mattress, desk, desk chair, dresser, wardrobe/closet, compact fridge/freezer (3.1 cu ft), wastebasket & recycling bin in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Dejope Hall stacks up against University of Wisconsin–Madison's other halls above.

Thinking About Living in Dejope Hall Next Year?

If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Dejope Hall: it has Twin XL · 36"×80" beds with Loftable frame of under-bed clearance, and the room is air conditioned. On top of that, the room comes with Bed frame & Twin XL mattress, desk, desk chair, dresser, wardrobe/closet, compact fridge/freezer (3.1 cu ft), wastebasket & recycling bin; you'll need to bring Bedding, towels, shower caddy, hangers, desk lamp, microwave (bring your own) yourself; Candles, incense, open flames, wax warmers, halogen lamps, window AC units, space heaters, electric grills, toasters, toaster ovens, hot plates, electric fireplaces, hoverboards, personal fridges isn't allowed. The full day-to-day breakdown above covers the room, the building, and move-in day in more depth.

Still weighing this hall against others? Our guide on how to pick a dorm covers what actually matters, or see University of Wisconsin–Madison’s other halls below.

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Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.

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Dejope Hall Dorm Checklist 2026

Living in Dejope Hall: what to know before you pack

The room

Day to day

Move-in day

See The Raised Bed styled

Everything for your Dejope Hall room

Bedding

Fan — optional

Bathroom

Personal Care & Grooming

Self-Care Essentials

Storage & Organization

Closet Space-Savers

Tech & Power

Laundry

Desk & Study

Health & Safety

Comfort & Room

Kitchen & Dining

Misc Essentials

Move-In Day Gear

Dejope Hall FAQ

Thinking About Living in Dejope Hall Next Year?

More University of Wisconsin–Madison halls